History of the Area

Think back in history to around 1837, 10 years after the slaying of Shaka, the founder of the Zulu nation by his half brother Dingane, now chieftain of the Zulus, the year in which Piet Retief and his men were massacred at Emgungundhlovu by the rampaging Dingane and before the British tragedies of Isandhlwana and heroism of Rorkes Drift.

Old Halliwell bears witness to these times, built as a fortified homestead with 1 meter thick stone walls on the wagon trail into the interior, the site chosen well by the early settlers with a commanding view of the valley below and clear spring water, it was the ideal place to out span and relax after the long journey from Port Natal.